Drew Brees files lawsuit against jeweler he claims scammed him out of $9 million

By BRETT BODNER

Apr 04, 2018 | 12:24 PM

Drew Brees is suing a California jeweler and one-time friend who he claims cheated him out of $9 million by overcharging him for diamonds during the course of his NFL career.

The Saints quarterback and his wife, Brittany, filed a lawsuit Monday in San Diego against Vahid Moradi of CJ Charles Jewelers, The New Orleans Advocate reports.

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Brees' 29-page lawsuit claims that an independent appraiser found the value of investment pieces the couple bought from Moradi over the years — like watches, jewels and diamonds — were worth $9 million less than what they had paid for the jewelry.

Between 2012 and 2016, the couple bought $15 million in diamonds that Moradi said would increase in value over the course of a few years, including an $8.2 million blue diamond, according to the lawsuit. The appraiser said the actual value of the blue diamond was $3.6 million.

The lawsuit says Brees confronted Moradi and he admitted to a "substantial markup" in the jewelry, while also suggesting that the market was just weak.

Drew Brees and his wife, Brittany, filed a lawsuit Monday in California against a jeweler who he claims scammed him on diamonds. (Peter Aiken/Getty Images)

Afterward, the 39-year-old and his wife severed ties with Moradi, whom they had become friends with, and later filed the lawsuit, which accuses him of fraud, breach of contract and financial responsibility, as well as violations of California business regulations. It also adds that Moradi allegedly refused to return $244,000 the couple had wired to him for a watch that they ultimately decided not to purchase. Moradi told them he would instead issue store credit, the lawsuit says.

Moradi's attorney, Eric George, released a statement denying any wrongdoing.

''He should restrict his game-playing to the football field,'' attorney Eric George said of the 11-time Pro Bowler. ''And refrain from bullying honest, hard-working businessmen like my client.''